Powerball Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Sports

Powerball

Deep cut

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1991
GenreSports
DeveloperNamco
PublisherNamco
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 5

Released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991, Powerball is a sports game developed by Namco.

It landed about 2 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1991 include Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage and Shining in the Darkness.

Namco also made Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, Pac-Attack and Splatterhouse 2 for the Genesis.

Powerball supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing Powerball is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

Powerball gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

Powerball cheats & codes

21 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Infinite Time (Minutes)FFF532:09
Infinite Time (Seconds)FFF533:21
Team 1 Score Modifier (P1)FFF539:XX
Team 2 Score Modifier (P2/CPU)FFF53B:XX

See all Powerball cheats

Powerball walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Powerball.

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NBA Jam box art
NBA Jam Genesis · 1994 · Sports Classic

Playing Genesis games today

Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.

Powerball FAQ

When did Powerball come out on the Genesis?

Powerball was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991.

Who made Powerball?

It was developed by Namco.

Is Powerball multiplayer?

Yes. Powerball supports up to 2 players.

How long does Powerball take to play?

As a sports game, Powerball typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Powerball on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you